“After 35 years, the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestras, an educational enterprise involving multiple ensembles, will officially dissolve on Aug. 31, to reemerge on Sept. 1 as the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras,” writes Tim Smith on Sunday (5/13) in his Clef Notes blog in the Baltimore Sun. “Former GBYO employees, including artistic director Kenneth Lam, will become employees of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, which has not previously had an orchestral training program.… The GBYO, founded in 1977 by BSO clarinetist Chris Wolfe, has about 250 students, ages six to 19…. There is a full orchestra of advanced students, an intermediate-level orchestra, and two early-level string ensembles … GBYO board president Jeff Zoller described the deal with the BSO as ‘a logical evolution.’ … The GBYO’s current executive director Nana Gaskins Vaughn will join the BSO’s education and community engagement staff. Other conductors currently with the GBYO will continue with the BSYO.… [Marin] Alsop is expected to work with the youth orchestra at some point in the future, [BSO President and CEO Paul] Meecham said.… The BSYO will give one concert each season at the BSO’s home base, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The location of additional concerts is to be determined.”
Posted May 14, 2012
